Expansible band with dual purpose latch



May 8, 1956y E. VALCOURT 2,744,379

EXPANSIBLE BAND WITH DUAL PURPOSE LATCH M Hmm Filed Deo. 9, 1954 l Y 2333' A' 3/ la INI/ENTOR: Lou/SE I/zlcozzrlf BY 4 f l F .19t 8- 3ATTO/wlmi EXPANSIBLE BAND WITH DUAL'PURPOSELATCH Louis E. Valcourt, EastProvidence, R. I., assignor to Restenman Bros. Mfg. Co., Providence, R.I., a corporation of Rhode Island v Application December 9, 1954, SerialNo. 474,060

6 Claims. (Cl. 59-79) link-elements telescopcally slidable in the outerlink-r elements to permit expansion ofthe band orbracelet, whilenormally being maintained in 4contracted relationship by resilient meanssuch as tension springs enclosed within the link-units.

One object of the invention is to provide an improved nited StatesPatentO article of manufacture of the character indicated in which thelink-units are connected vby means manually operable` for detaching theunits, one or more `from the others to A particular object of theinvention is to provide an article of the character indicated having a'pivoted latch yfor closing the hook on` one of the 'link-elements withmeans automatically operative to maintain the latch released or openwhen the inner element is extended from the enclosing element so thatthe link-units may be more conveniently unlatched and disconnected.

Another object is to provide an article of the character speciiied inwhich a latch pivotally mounted on one of the elements is provided withdetent means operative to hold it released after it has been initiallyreleased by i manual manipulation.

Another object is to provide an article of the character indicatedhaving the link-elements constructed from sheetmetal blanks struck up indies and assembled in interconnected relationship to produce Aa highlyornamental appearance without unsightly projections or extraneousconstructional features liable to detract from the artistic effect ofthe whole.

Further objects of the invention are set forth in the followingspecication which describes vaprefer'red form of construction of thepresent linkage as illustrated in the accompanying drawing. yIn thedrawing: l

Fig. l is a top'plan View of the present improved eX pansible band or`linkage shown with the link-elements resiliently maintained intelescoped relationship and the linkage contracted lengthwise;

Fig. 2 is'a greatly enlarged bottom plan view showing two of thelink-elements in extended relationship With portions of the connectedlink-units at its ends;

Fig. 3 is a similarly enlarged longitudinal sectional Fig. .2;

Fig. 4 is an enlarged transverse sectional view of a link-unit taken atone end of the unit assembly and showing the telescopic arrangement oftwo of the linkelements in their contracted relationship;

Fig. 5 is a top plan view of a link-unit assembly shown partly insection on line 5-5 of Fig. 4;

Fig. 6 is an exploded View showing the several parts of thelink-elements in disassembled relationship;

Fig. 7 is a longitudinal part-sectional view of one of the link-unitsvillustrating the latching means as operative for maintaining itattached to another link-unit; land Fig. 8 is a similar longitudinalsectional view showing the latching means Vreleased and held in itsreleased relationship by the engagement ofthe detent-means with the i'end ofthe enclosing unit in which it slides.

Expansible watch-bracelets and similar articles of jewelry are usuallyVmanufactured and sold with the links permanently connected at theirends to prevent them Vfrom becoming disconnected and dislocated whenworn. Consequently, such bracelets or like jewelry must be manufacturedin several diierent lengths to adapt them to iit the wrist or other partof the anatomy of the wearer 'and this requires that the jeweler orretailer must main'- tain a considerable stock of the articles in orderto have different sizes available. It has thereforev been founddesirable to provide an expansible band or linkage capable of beingadjusted in length by the seller and the present invention consists inimproved means for detachably connecting the link-units at their ends;more particularly, a latching means that can be easily releasedkmanually withoutthe use of tools so that one or more of said units maybe removed to shorten the bracelet, or ysections of the linkage 'bedisconnected for the insertion of additional link-units therein. It isalso desirable that the latching or connecting means for the link-unitsnormally be concealed from view, yet conveniently available formanipulation when the llink-elements are expanded.

, As a further improvement inthe present type of band `or bracelet Iprovide detent-means for holding the latch lat `the end of the slidableelement in released relationship after it has been `manually =released.to open the connecting hook, said detent-means being operatedautomatically :by `simply extending the Aslidable link-element.outwardly at the end of its .enclosing element.

The present invention provides an improved latching or connecting,means-of simple construction having the advantages above set forth vandnot liable to derangenient or getting out of order during long periodsof use. The yband or linkage may be composed of tubular mainlinkelements 2 of rectangular outline having a crowned top suitablyornamented with an artistic configuration or embellished with engraving,enameling or otherwise in artistic design,y The outer or main box-likelink-element 2 of the present linkage is of generally arcuate shape inside View to adapt it to it closely against the wrist of the wearer, andpreferably it may have an offset pad or panel 3 on its under side toreduce .the contact of the bracelet against the wrist .of the wearer.Asshown more particularly in Fig. 6, vthe outer or main link-element 2is constructed from sheetmetal blanks to provide a relatively dat bottomwall 4l,V

struck up in a die to rform the .depending panel 3 and depending sidewalls 5. n y y The top or cover 10 of the :link-element 2 is formed withvertical side walls 6 folded inwardly at the bottom to provide suitableflanges engaging under the edges of the `bottom wall 4 and forming acomplete tubularenclosurewith'the `parts permanently fastened togetherby their overlapping portions. The rearward end of the outerlink-element 2 has a vertical wall 7 (Fig. 3) and an upstandng shorter-vwallor lip -8 at the front for .engaging ra flange 9 depending` fromthe bottom wall 16 of vthe link-element 15 to serve as a stop forpreventing it being completely withdrawn from the outer main linkelement2.

rhe inner slidable or telescopic link-element 15 is constructed with arelatively flat bottom wall 16 having the metal folded upwardly to formvertical sides 17, thus providing a sort of shallow tray to which thetop or cover is attached. lt will be observed by reference to Figs. 5and 6 that the bottom wall 16 of the inner link-element is cut awaylaterally at one end and the metal folded upwardly to form inwardlydisplaced side walls 1S, thus leaving rectangular openings 19 in thebottom wall at these points. A portion of the metal of the bottom wall16 is folded upwardly between the projecting ends of the displaced walls18 to provide a partial closure 2d. At one side of the bottom 16 of thelink-element 15 a closure is provided consisting in a transverse endwall 21 folded upwardly from the bottom wall 16 and extending from theside wall 17 to one of the inwardly displaced walls 13 to till the gaptherebetween. At the opposite side of the bottom wall 16 the opening 19is without a closure so as to provide a space for the latch 35 to belater described.

The cover for the inner link-element 15 may have a relatively athorizontal top wall with side walls 23 bent downwardly therefrom andportions of the metal at one end bent to form spaced-apart tabs 24extending vertically and folded inwardly at the bottom to engage underthe edges of the side walls 17 of the inner link-element. As shown inFigs. 6 and 7, the forward end of the cover 22 of the link-element 15 iscurled under to form a relatively broad hook 25 for connecting it withthe next link-element 2 in the series.

With the above construction and arrangement of the interlitting parts ofthe two link-elements 2 and 15, the inner element 15 may be slidablymounted within the main link-element 2 to form the extendible member,means being provided for limiting its extension outwardly beyond the endof the main link-element.

A pair of springs is provided extending in parallel relationship fromone end of the main link-clement 2 through its interior and that of theslidable element 15 with the ends of said springs fastened to crossbarsor pins 31 and 32. The crossbar or pin 31 at the end of the outerlink-element 2 is mounted with its ends inserted through tubular bearingloops 33 cut from the end wall 7 and curled around on the inside; whilethe pin 32 at the end of the slidable link-element 15 is held with itsriveted ends engaged in holes 34 (Figs. 2 and 3) in the projecting endsof the inwardly-displaced walls 1S with shoulders at the ends of itslarger main portion abutting against said walls.

It will be observed by reference to Fig. 3 that the pin 31 is disposedrelatively close to the end wall 7 of the main link-element 2 and toaccommodate the circular wire loops of the springs 30, said end wall iscut away with vertical slots 36 (Fig. 5) through which the loopsproject.

The latch (Figs. 5-8) may be formed from a iiat metal stn'p withintegral pintles 37 and 38 projecting laterally from its sides to adaptit to be pivotally mounted midway of its ends. One pntle or pivot 37 ismounted to turn in a hole 39 in the side wall 17 of the link-element 15,while the opposite pintle 38 is engaged in a hole in a lug 40 cut awayfrom the bottom wall 16 and bent upwardly therefrom. With this pivotalmounting of the latch 35 its forward end is adapted to engage inside theedge of the beak portion of the hook 25 to maintain the hook loopedaround the hooks at the rearward end of the bottom portion of thelink-element 2.

The rearward length of the latch 35 terminates in a thickened portionforming a rectangular block-like projection 46 on the under side of thelatch which is normally received in an opening 47 in the bottom wall 16of the link-element 15. The projecting portion 46 on the under side ofthe latch 35 constitutes the detent-means for holding the latch open asshown in Fig. 8 by its engagement with the end of the bottom wall 4 ofthe outer box-link 2 when its forward end is raised to release it fromthe edge of the hook. A rounded protuberance 5t) on the upstanding wall18 (Fig. 5) of the element 15 is adapted to snap across the forward endof the latch 35 to retain it in either closed or open relationship (Fig.7 or Fig. 8). The opstanding end wall 7 of the main or outer linkelement2 is slitted laterally at its ends to provide relatively narrow stripsbent into hooks 55 (Fig. 5) adapted to cooperate with the hook 2S on thelink-element 15 for coupling the link-units together at their ends, sccFigs. 7 and 8.

The link-units composed of the outer clement 2 and the slidable element15 are assembled in interconnected relationship by engaging the broadhook 25 on the end .ch element 15 with the hooks 55 on the end of the .titer element as shown most clearly in Figs. 2 and 7, this operationbeing performed when the latch is opcned as illustrated in Fig. 8. Thelatch is then closed against the beak of the hook 25 by rocking itsforward end downwardly and snapping it across the rounded protuberance50 to releasably hold it closed as shown in Fig. 7. With a series oflink-units connected in this manner a chain or bracelet of the desiredlength may be produced with the inner slidable links 15 normallymaintained telescoped within the outer links 2 by the springs 3d asshown in Fig. 5, the linkage thus being contracted in length with themain link-elements 2 substantially abutting at their end. When thebracelet or other article is applied to use, for example in slipping itover the hand and onto the wrist, it may be expanded considerablylengthwise by a pull on its ends to withdraw the slidable link-elements15 outwardly from the ends of the main link-elements 2 with the springs30 stretching for this purpose as indicated in Fig. 3. Then, when theends of the linkage are released the inner slidable linkelements 15 willtelescope into the outer links 2 to provide a comfortable tit withexpansion of the linkage permitted due to the resilient connectionbetween the slidable link-elements 15 and the enclosing link-elements 2.This provides for flexing of the wrist when the article is being wornthereon.

When it is desired to shorten or lengthen the whole band or linkage, forexample, when a bracelet is being tted to the wrist of a personpurchasing it from the jeweler or retailer, this may be accomplishedreadily by disconnecting certain of the link-units, either to removeseveral units from the linkage to shorten it or to insert othersthereinto for lengthening it. No tools are required for disconnectingand reconnecting the linkunits, it being only necessary to open thelatches 35 where the disconnections are to be made by pressing theirforward ends upwardly in the link-elements 15. To render it particularlyconvenient for performing this operation the slidable link-element 15may be drawn outwardly from the end of its enclosing link-element 2before the latch is opened. Then when the latch is swung open it willsnap across the protuberance 50 as its rearward end is rocked downwardlythrough the opening 47 as shown in Fig. 8. This will cause the end ofthe enlarged portion 46 of the latch to engage with the end of thebottom wall 4 of the main link-element 2 to securely lock the latch inopen relationship. When the latch 35 is thus locked in open relationshipthe hook 25 on the inner link-element 15 may be readily disengaged fromthe hooks 55 on the adjacent main link-element 2 of the series todisconnect the link-units at the location selected.

lf it is desired to shorten the bracelet it will only be necessary tomanipulate the latch on the next succeeding link-element 15 in theseries, or at any point rearwardly therebeyond, to disconnect several ofthe link-units from the chain or bracelet; whereafter, the remaininglinkunits may be coupled together again by engaging the hook 25 on theslidable link-element 15 with the hooks lthese points.

.ana-aaa' When it lisrreqn'ired 'to addi-more link-unitsvtothe :chain orbracelet tol lengthen 'it thea-procedure is: :substantially the: same,'the latch `35. Von: one. ,'of the: slidable 'link-elements beingreleased todiseonnect the :hook '25 at the end of.'thisaelementzfromsits next forward main.,:link element 2. Thereafterone or any suitable number of additional link-units vmay be vinserted:fthe linkage between the separated :sections thereof byvcoupling themto the ends of said sections and closing the Alatches at The latches 3'5may 'be closed by simply withdrawing the slidable 'link-elements 15outwardl'yfrom 'they ends of the enclosing link-el'enrents 2 to 'release`the detent ends of thelatcheswhereaf'ter they maybe'pivoted intoyclosed 'position by Apressing against their `rearward ends. As thelatches 35 are pivoted in this manner 7their forwardv endsI will snap-acrossvtheprotuberances 50 to retain them in closed relationship asshown in Fig. 7.

It will be apparent that while in most instances all of the link-unitsmay be constructed with releasable latches and detent-means therefor, inother cases the greater portion of the link-units may be connectedpermanently and only certain of the units provided with uncoupling meansfor use in lengthening or shortening the chain or bracelet.

lt will be observed from the foregoing specification that the presentinvention provides an extremely simple yet convenient latching means formaintaining the several link-units of a bracelet or linkage in connectedrelationship while adapting them to be disconnected manually without theuse of tools. Moreover, by the provision of the present improveddetent-means for holding the latches released, still greater facilityand convenience of operation is secured for connecting and disconnectingthe link-units to adjust the length of a chain or bracelet.

While the invention is herein shown and described in its preferred formof construction, it is to be understood that modifications may be madein the structureand arrangement of the parts of the device withoutdeparting from the scope of the appended claims. Therefore, withoutlimiting myself in this respect, I claim:

l. In an expansible metal linkage or bracelet comprising a plurality oflink-units each consisting in an outer tubular link-element and an innerlink-element telescopically slidable therein, with' resilient means fornormally maintaining said link-units in contracted relationship, thecombination of a hook at the end of said slidable link-elementengageable with means at the end of an adjacent outer link-element, anda latch pivotally mounted adjacent the free end of said hook on saidinner link-element, said latch being movable to engage its forward endwith said hook, said latch having an abutment at its rearward endnormally positioned in an aperture in said inner link-element, saidlatch being movable about its axis to disengage its forward end from thehook and to project the abutment on its rearward end beyond the outerface of the inner link-element and into engagement with the end of theouter link-element when said inner link-element is vslidably extendedrelatively thereto whereby to positively lock said latch in openposition for convenient manipulation to couple and uncouple saidlink-units.

2. In an expansible metal band, bracelet or linkage comprising aplurality of hollow link-units each consisting in an outer link-elementand an inner link-element slidable relatively thereto, a spring fornormally maintaining said llnk-elements in contracted relationship,

said inner link-element being provided with a'hook at one end engageablewith means on an adjacent outer link-element in the series for couplingsaid link-units in connected relationship, said inner link-elementprovided with an opening in its under side, 'the combination of a latchpivotally mounted on said inner link-element op- 4posite'theopeniirig:therein and movable about pivotal axis in one direction to engage andclose said hook,

'saidlatchfbeing movable about its kpivotal axis in the op-'link-element extended from said outer link-element against :the tensionof said spring.

3. In an expansible metal band, chain or bracelet comprising a pluralityof articulated link-units each consisting in an youter link-element andan inner link-ele- Vmen-t .telescopically slidable relatively thereto,one of said .link-elements'having a hook engageable with means on anadjacent link-element for coupling said link-units in connectedrelationship, a latch pivotally mounted on said inner link-elementadjacent said hook for movement about its pivotal axis to engage itsforward end with said hook to close it and movable in the oppositedirection to release its forward end from said hook to open it, saidlatch being so constructed and arranged that when it is moved to releaseits forward end from the hook its rearward end will project beyond theouter face of the inner link-element on which it is mounted to causesaid end to engage with the end of its' associated outer link-elementwhen said link-elements are slidably extended whereby to hold saidlatchin open position for convenient manipulation in coupling anduncoupling said link-units.

4. Inan expansible metal band or linkage comprising a series ofconnected link-units each comprising an outer link-element and an innerlink-element slidable relatively thereto with resilient means fornormally maintaining said link-elements in contracted relationship onerelatively to the other, said inner link-element having a hookengageable with means on an adjacent outer link-element in the seriesfor coupling said link-units in articulated relationship, thecombination of a latch pivotally mounted intermediate its ends on saidinner link-element and movable to engage its forward end with the beakof the hook to close said hook, said latch so constructed and arrangedthat when it is moved about its axis to disengage its forward end fromthe hook its rearward end will be projected beyond the outer face of theinner link-element and into engagement with the end of its associatedouter link-element when said inner link-element is slidably extendedrelatively thereto to lock said latch in released position with the hookopen for convenient manipulation in coupling and uncoupling saidlink-units.

5. As a new article of manufacture, a link-unit for expansible braceletscomprising an outer tubular linkelement and an inner link-elementslidable telescopically within said outer link-element, resilient meansfor normally maintaining said link-elements inl contracted relationship,said slidable link-element having a hook at one end for engagement withmeans on an adjacent link-unit in a series, the combination of a latchpivotally mounted on said inner link-element for movement to engage itsforward end with the beak of said hook to close the hook and formovement in the opposite direction'to disengage it from said hook toopen it, detent-means for engaging said latch to hold it in either openor closed relation to said hook, said latch being so constructed andarranged that when it is moved to disengage it from said hook to open itwhile the associated link-elements are extended to maintain saidlink-elements extended with the hook open.

6. As a new article of manufacture, a link-unit for expansible braceletscomprising an outer tubular linkelerncnt, an inner hollow link-elementslidable telescopically within the outer link-element, and a springconnecting said link-elements for normally maintaining them incontracted relationship one within the other, said inner link-elementhaving a hook at one end for engagement with means on an adjacentlink-unit in a bracelet series, the combination of a latch pivotallymounted on said inner link-element for movement to engage its forwardend with the beak of said hook to close the hook, and for movement inthe opposite direction to disengage its forward end from said hook toopen it, and detent-means engageable between said latch and said innerlink-element to hold said latch with its forward end released from thehook, said latch being so constructed and arranged that when its forwardend is disengaged from said hook after the associated link-elements havebeen extended one from the other, the rearward end of said latch willproject beyond the outer face of the inner link-element and saiddetent-means will hold said latch in this position so that its rearwardend will engage the end of the associated outer link-element to maintainsaid link-elements extended against the force of their connectingspring.

References Cited inthe tile of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS Y1,142,160 Goldstein June 8, 1915 1,692,809 Bigney Nov. 27, 19281,698,134 Kestenman `lan. 8, 1929 1,729,793 Myrberg Oct. l, 19291,739,689 Newman Dec. 17, 1929 2,518,507 Valcourt Aug. 15, 19502,582,828 Hajos Jan. 15, 1952

